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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ300

Portability
86
Imaging
47
Features
42
Overall
45
Olympus PEN E-P2 front
 
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300 front
Portability
59
Imaging
37
Features
73
Overall
51

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ300 Key Specs

Olympus E-P2
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - Four Thirds Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Screen
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Sensor based Image Stabilization
  • 1280 x 720 video
  • Micro Four Thirds Mount
  • 355g - 121 x 70 x 36mm
  • Released April 2010
  • Superseded the Olympus E-P1
  • New Model is Olympus E-P3
Panasonic FZ300
(Full Review)
  • 12MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fully Articulated Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 1/16000s Max Shutter
  • 3840 x 2160 video
  • 25-600mm (F2.8) lens
  • 691g - 132 x 92 x 117mm
  • Launched July 2015
  • Replaced the Panasonic FZ200
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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ300 Overview

Lets examine more closely at the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic FZ300, one is a Entry-Level Mirrorless and the other is a Small Sensor Superzoom by brands Olympus and Panasonic. The sensor resolution of the E-P2 (12MP) and the FZ300 (12MP) is fairly well matched but the E-P2 (Four Thirds) and FZ300 (1/2.3") come with different sensor sizing.

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The E-P2 was manufactured 6 years earlier than the FZ300 which is quite a big gap as far as tech is concerned. Each of the cameras come with different body type with the Olympus E-P2 being a Rangefinder-style mirrorless camera and the Panasonic FZ300 being a SLR-like (bridge) camera.

Before we go in to a complete comparison, below is a concise view of how the E-P2 grades vs the FZ300 for portability, imaging, features and an overall score.

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Reasons to pick Olympus E-P2 over the Panasonic FZ300

 E-P2 FZ300 

Reasons to pick Panasonic FZ300 over the Olympus E-P2

 FZ300 E-P2 
LaunchedJuly 2015April 2010More modern by 63 months
Display typeFully ArticulatedFixed Fully Articulating display
Display resolution1040k230kSharper display (+810k dot)
Selfie screen Easy selfies
Touch friendly display Easily navigate

Common features in the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic FZ300

 E-P2 FZ300 
Manual focus More accurate focusing
Display dimension3"3"Identical display measurement

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ300 Physical Comparison

If you are planning to carry around your camera regularly, you'll need to factor in its weight and volume. The Olympus E-P2 has exterior measurements of 121mm x 70mm x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") and a weight of 355 grams (0.78 lbs) whilst the Panasonic FZ300 has sizing of 132mm x 92mm x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6") along with a weight of 691 grams (1.52 lbs).

Contrast the Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic FZ300 in the new Camera and Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Remember that, the weight of an Interchangeable Lens Camera will vary depending on the lens you are using at that moment. Below is the front view physical size comparison of the E-P2 and the FZ300.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ300 size comparison

Considering size and weight, the portability grade of the E-P2 and FZ300 is 86 and 59 respectively.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ300 top view buttons comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ300 Sensor Comparison

Oftentimes, it is hard to picture the contrast between sensor sizes purely by checking specs. The pic below will give you a more clear sense of the sensor sizing in the E-P2 and FZ300.

All in all, the two cameras have got the exact same resolution but different sensor sizes. The E-P2 has got the larger sensor which should make getting shallow DOF less difficult. The more aged E-P2 is going to be disadvantaged in sensor tech.

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ300 sensor size comparison

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and ViewFinder

Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ300 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Portrait photography highlights
Panasonic FZ300 Portrait photography highlights
60
has manual focus
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
features face detect focus
exports RAW files
low MP (12 megapixels)
46
has manual focus
has face detect autofocus
delivers RAW formats
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Street Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Street photography highlights
Panasonic FZ300 Street photography highlights
74
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
fixed screen
59
screen articulates
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
features touch to focus
environment sealing
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
more heavy than average in class (691 grams)
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Sports Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Sports photography information
Panasonic FZ300 Sports photography information
40
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
max fps low (3.0 frames per second)
low MP (12 megapixels)
not so great battery power (300 per charge)
lacks phase detect auto focus
51
great zoom range (25-600mm 24.0 x zoom)
high shutter speed (1/16,000 seconds)
has image stabilization (Optical)
has tracking focus
environment sealing
great battery life (380 shots)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
does not have phase detect autofocus
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Travel Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Travel photography factors
Panasonic FZ300 Travel photography factors
43
doesn't have Timelapse mode
not so great battery power (300 shots)
low MP (12MP)
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
59
great battery life (380 per charge)
environment sealing
features touch to focus
built-in flash
selfie friendly display
reasonably wide (25mm)
great reach (600mm)
more heavy than average in class (691 grams)
low megapixels (12 megapixels)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
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Landscape Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Landscape photography advice
Panasonic FZ300 Landscape photography advice
60
has manual focus
switch lenses (Micro Four Thirds mount)
screen size is good (3 inches)
image stabilization (Sensor based)
sensor size is nice (Four Thirds)
exports RAW files
low MP (12MP)
not so great battery power (300 shots)
doesn't have Timelapse mode
52
has manual focus
reasonably wide (25mm)
screen size is good (3 inches)
has image stabilization (Optical)
delivers RAW formats
environment sealing
great battery life (380 CIPA)
can't switch lenses (fixed lens mount)
slow max aperture (f2.8)
low megapixels (12MP)
sensor size is small (1/2.3")
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Vlogging Comparison

Olympus E-P2 Vlogging details
Panasonic FZ300 Vlogging details
29
image stabilization (Sensor based)
features face detect focus
doesn't have a selfie friendly display
video res low (1280 x 720 resolution)
doesn't have microphone support
62
reasonably wide (25mm)
selfie friendly display
touchscreen capability
has image stabilization (Optical)
has face detect autofocus
video res high (3840 x 2160 pixels)
comes with microphone jack
slow max aperture (f2.8)
more heavy than average in class (691 grams)
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Olympus E-P2 vs Panasonic FZ300 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Olympus E-P2 and Panasonic FZ300
 Olympus PEN E-P2Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
General Information
Manufacturer Olympus Panasonic
Model type Olympus PEN E-P2 Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ300
Type Entry-Level Mirrorless Small Sensor Superzoom
Released 2010-04-22 2015-07-16
Body design Rangefinder-style mirrorless SLR-like (bridge)
Sensor Information
Processor Chip TruePic V Venus Engine
Sensor type CMOS CMOS
Sensor size Four Thirds 1/2.3"
Sensor measurements 17.3 x 13mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 224.9mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 12 megapixel 12 megapixel
Anti alias filter
Aspect ratio 4:3 1:1, 4:3, 3:2 and 16:9
Peak resolution 4032 x 3024 4000 x 3000
Highest native ISO 6400 6400
Min native ISO 100 100
RAW data
Autofocusing
Focus manually
Touch to focus
Continuous autofocus
Autofocus single
Tracking autofocus
Selective autofocus
Autofocus center weighted
Autofocus multi area
Autofocus live view
Face detection focus
Contract detection focus
Phase detection focus
Total focus points 11 49
Lens
Lens support Micro Four Thirds fixed lens
Lens zoom range - 25-600mm (24.0x)
Max aperture - f/2.8
Macro focusing range - 1cm
Total lenses 107 -
Focal length multiplier 2.1 5.8
Screen
Screen type Fixed Type Fully Articulated
Screen diagonal 3" 3"
Screen resolution 230k dot 1,040k dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch friendly
Screen tech HyperCrystal LCD with AR(Anti-Reflective) coating -
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type Electronic (optional) Electronic
Viewfinder resolution - 1,440k dot
Viewfinder coverage - 100 percent
Features
Minimum shutter speed 60s 60s
Fastest shutter speed 1/4000s 1/16000s
Continuous shutter speed 3.0fps 12.0fps
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Manual exposure
Exposure compensation Yes Yes
Change white balance
Image stabilization
Built-in flash
Flash distance no built-in flash 8.80 m (at Auto ISO)
Flash settings Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye, Fill-in, Slow Sync, Manual (3 levels) Auto, auto w/redeye reduction, forced on, forced on w/redeye reduction, slow sync, slow sync w/redeye reduction, forced off
External flash
AEB
White balance bracketing
Fastest flash sync 1/180s -
Exposure
Multisegment
Average
Spot
Partial
AF area
Center weighted
Video features
Video resolutions 1280 x 720 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps) 3840 x 2160 (30p, 24p), 1920 x 1080 (60p, 60i, 30p, 24p), 1280 x 720 (30p), 640 x 480 (30p)
Highest video resolution 1280x720 3840x2160
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, AVCHD
Microphone input
Headphone input
Connectivity
Wireless None Built-In
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proofing
Dust proofing
Shock proofing
Crush proofing
Freeze proofing
Weight 355g (0.78 pounds) 691g (1.52 pounds)
Dimensions 121 x 70 x 36mm (4.8" x 2.8" x 1.4") 132 x 92 x 117mm (5.2" x 3.6" x 4.6")
DXO scores
DXO Overall rating 56 not tested
DXO Color Depth rating 21.5 not tested
DXO Dynamic range rating 10.4 not tested
DXO Low light rating 505 not tested
Other
Battery life 300 images 380 images
Battery format Battery Pack Battery Pack
Battery ID BLS-1 -
Self timer Yes (2 or 12 sec) Yes
Time lapse feature
Type of storage SD/SDHC card SD/SDHC/SDXC card
Storage slots 1 1
Launch cost $799 $598